The jobless rate rose in June, but markets took heart from a big full-time push. Photo: Louise Kennerley

The figures follow November's unemployment rate of 5.8 per cent and October's rate of 5.9 per cent. In November, jobs growth was 71,400, after a 56,000 rise in October, the strongest two-month period of employment growth since the 1980s.

The October figure was a shock improvement over September's figure of 6.2 per cent and prompted many economists to question the accuracy of the Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

"Almost all of November and half of October's growth were due to sample rotation effects. Sample rotation presents difficulties interpreting the underlying pace of jobs growth in any one month for markets and policy."

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However, despite issues over the reliability of the data, the Reserve Bank of Australia signalled in its December minutes that the Australian economy had enjoyed "stronger employment growth ... consistent with surveys suggesting that business conditions were above average."

The jobless rate held steady at 5.8 per cent in December, showing the economy's relative strength.

The RBA also noted that, in trend terms, unemployment remained "in the 6 to 6.25 per cent range it had been in since the middle of 2014."

Technically, there was a slight fall in December unemployment as November's unemployment was 5.84 per cent (rounded to 5.8 per cent) while December's unemployment rate was 5.76 per cent (also rounded to 5.8 per cent).

Commsec chief economist Craig James said December's result was "another result that has surprised analysts."

"After the strongest back-to-back lift in jobs in 28 years – 130,000 jobs created – employment only fell by 1,000 in December. Economists were tipping a 12,500 fall in jobs and were wrong…again."

Paul Dales, chief economist with Capital Economics, said "the recent improvement in Australia's labour market was maintained in December, which should go some way to relieving the current downward pressure on equity prices and the Australian dollar."

ANZ economist Justin Fabo said that the employment numbers "should be viewed positively."

"Both employment and the unemployment rate beat expectations. While sample rotation has boosted jobs growth in recent months, and may again in January, labour market trends remain positive."

Commonwealth bank economist Gareth Aird said that the figures were "better than expected".

"Whichever way you slice it the Australian labour market looks in good shape," he said. "After two comprehensively strong reports the odds sat with a soft report today. But the publication received was not as soft as the market was expecting."